Emmy Award-winner Sheryl Lee Ralph and The DIVA Foundation celebrated a monumental milestone this past weekend, hosting the 35th Annual DIVAS Simply Singing! Raising Health Awareness Gala. Held on Saturday, November 1, at the Taglyan Complex, the event marked three and a half decades of using music and artistic activism to uplift, educate, and empower communities, particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
As the longest-running HIV/AIDS and health awareness benefit concert in the United States, the gala brought together a constellation of talent, including Jennifer Hudson, Andra Day, Lalah Hathaway, Loretta Devine, Jenifer Lewis, and Mickey Guyton. The evening, made possible by presenting sponsor Gilead Sciences, delivered a powerful blend of performances and heartfelt tributes.
35th Anniversary Gala DIVAS Simply Singing Photos
Honoring a Legacy of Service
The gala honored extraordinary change-makers through The DIVA Honors. Recipients included:
- Rev. Debra Fraser-Howze, who received the Inaugural Visionary Award for her groundbreaking advocacy in HIV/AIDS awareness and health equity.
- Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., who were presented with The Legacy of Love Humanitarian Honor for their decades of philanthropy.
- Jewel Thais-Williams was posthumously honored with The Ivy Ralph Legend of Distinction Award, recognizing her formidable role as a community activist and founder of the historic Catch One nightclub.
- Dr. Maya Green received the Wellness Warrior Award for her significant contributions to public health and HIV care.
- Lula Washington, choreographer and founder of the Lula Washington Dance Theatre, was honored with The Artistic Activism Award for her commitment to social change through the arts.
A Night of Unforgettable Performances
In keeping with tradition, the stage was alive with musical brilliance. The program featured performances from:
- Lalah Hathaway, who captivated the audience with “Mirror.”
- Mickey Guyton, who delivered her country powerhouse hit “Lay It On Me.”
- Andra Day, who closed the evening with a unifying sing-along of her anthem, “Rise Up.”
- The evening also included a moving duet of “It Takes Two” by James and Gina Pickens, who graciously donated a $10,000 check from the James Pickens Jr. Foundation to fund a men’s health initiative focusing on prostate health.
Reflecting on the evening’s significance, Sheryl Lee Ralph stated, “For thirty-five years, we have been singing for our lives, health, and community. The DIVA Foundation has always stood for love in action.”
The DIVA Foundation, founded by Ralph in 1990 as a memorial to friends lost to the AIDS crisis, continues its mission to challenge stigma and advance health equity through the transformative power of the arts.
Special thanks to The Sibley Firm